Whether or not that was enough to trade up to No. 2, we’ll probably never know, but we’ve uncovered one heck of an interesting backstory that unfolded a week prior to the draft, which saw the Browns select the Heisman Trophy winner with the top overall pick.

Here’s the story, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told The Athletic: In the weeks leading up to the draft, the Patriots kept trying to meet Mayfield for an interview, but Mayfield repeatedly declined their efforts because he didn’t believe they had a chance to take him. Of course, the Patriots’ first pick was at No. 23, so Mayfield recognized they’d have to trade up at least 20 spots to get him.

Finally, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels told a member of Mayfield’s camp the Pats were indeed considering that type of scenario. As such, Mayfield granted the meeting with the Patriots a week...